Rory MacDonald vs. B.J. Penn targeted for UFC on FOX 5 co-headliner

The recently scratched fight between Rory MacDonald (13-1 MMA, 4-1 UFC) and B.J. Penn (16-8-2 MMA, 12-7-2 UFC) may still take place this year.

MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) today confirmed with sources close to the event that UFC officials are targeting the bout for December’s UFC on FOX 5 event. Additionally, a source said it would serve as a co-main event, not the night’s main event.

UFC on FOX 5 is expected to take place Deb. 8, though a host city and venue have not been determined. A main event also hasn’t been established for the card, which marks the UFC’s final network-televised event of 2012.

MacDonald and Penn initially were slated to co-headline next month’s UFC 152 event in Toronto. However, MacDonald suffered a cut in training that required 38 stitches earlier this week, and the bout was postponed.

Initially, MacDonald stumped for a spot on UFC 154’s card, which takes place in November in Montreal, for the rebooking. Penn, though, suggested an October fight date in Rio de Janeiro as part of UFC 153.

Instead, if MacDonald’s cut is healed properly, UFC officials will put the fight on network TV in December.

Penn, a former two-division champ and future UFC Hall of Famer, hasn’t fought since a loss this past October to Nick Diaz at UFC 137. The young MacDonald. meanwhile, is coming off a dominant second-round TKO of Che Mills in the co-main event of UFC 145 in April, which marked his third consecutive victory.